Resident Assistant

Position

Reports to: School Director & School Manager

Position Type: Seasonal/Temporary

Compensation: $685.66 per week, room and board at Portland State University, public transportation pass, admission to weekend excursions, ballet classes as schedule permits.

Dates of Employment: June 20, 2026–August 1, 2026

Position Description

Each summer, Oregon Ballet Theatre School hosts students from around the world at our six-week Summer Intensive program. Housing opportunities for students traveling to the area are provided at Portland State University and OBT is in search of Resident Assistant for June 20, 2026–August 1, 2026. Resident Assistants serve as leaders for the students in the summer housing program connected to Oregon Ballet Theatre’s 2026 Summer Intensive. While their primary responsibility is the safety and well-being of the student body, their central focus is crafting an engaging and welcoming environment which considers and respects the needs of a diverse student population, many of whom may be away from home for the first time. It is preferred, though not required, that individuals in the Resident Assistant role have an intimate knowledge of the expectations of pre-professional ballet training, with prior experience and exposure to summer intensive programs.

OBT School

OBT School is the official training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre, located on the South Waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Students receive exemplary training from our world-class faculty, emphasizing pure classical technique. This experience is enhanced by invaluable opportunities to perform in fully staged productions at the Keller Auditorium alongside the professional dancers of Oregon Ballet Theatre.

Our Mission

To foster an enduring appreciation for dance. 

Our Vision

Oregon Ballet Theatre seeks to inspire the dancer in all of us through the power of movement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Job Duties/Competencies

• • Create and maintain a safe, secure, and nurturing residential environment for all students.
  • Manage regular communication between students and resident assistant staff. This includes checking students out and in for errands, meals, and weekend absences.
  • As needed respond to communication from families of students.
  • Work in conjunction with the school administrative staff to create rules and guidelines for Summer Intensive students.
  • Ensure adherence to all Oregon Ballet Theatre and Portland State University policies and procedures.
  • Establish a common understanding of Oregon Ballet Theatre and Portland State University: conduct an orientation session for all residents; review all resident regulations and schedules; familiarize students with campus facilities.
  • Enforce disciplinary action as necessary, determined by Oregon Ballet Theatre and Portland State University’s behavioral guidelines and the direction of the school administrative staff.
  • Advocate for student comfort and safety with PSU Summer Housing & Conferences department.
  • Assist with students checking in to and out from PSU’s dormitory. This may include transporting students from and to the airport, meeting students at airport, and escorting unaccompanied minors from and to airline gates as needed.
  • Accompany students to all meals, events, and activities. No student under the age of 18 years old may remain unsupervised at any time.
  • Establish a daily routine for the students in consultation with the school administrative staff. Institute engaging, informal activities for the students during evening hours. Be reasonably accommodated to students’ activity requests, while exercising mature judgment.
  • Communicate all issues or problems that arise and cannot be handled by the resident assistant staff to the school administrative staff in a timely manner.
  • Escort students to and from OBT’s auxiliary studios.
  • Staff OBT’s auxiliary studios as requested.
  • May be required to transport students in a company vehicle on occasion.

Qualifications

Experience and/or Qualifications

• Experience with pre-professional ballet training and summer intensive programs preferred.
• Experience with student housing programs preferred.
• Flexibility, and superior customer service.
• Exceptional moral character and an ability to lead by example.
• Exceptional communication skills. 
• Must be dependable, reliable, and punctual.
• Prior experience in customer care and the supervision of students or children.
• Strong commitment to the protection and safety of minors.
• Attention to detail, highly responsible, strong work ethic, and excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to enforce disciplinary action.
• Candidates should be available for all six weeks of program.
• Current CPR and first aid certification preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age or older by the program start date.
• Candidates will be subject to criminal background and possibly a motor vehicle check.

Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, contact information, and three professional references to jobs@obt.org with a subject line stating the position you are applying for.

About Oregon Ballet Theatre

This is an exciting time to work at Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) – the nation’s 20th largest classical ballet company. OBT is the largest professional dance company in Oregon, employing over 300 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today, including our own Artistic Director, Dani Rowe. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.

In addition to our 5-show main stage season, we introduce students to ballet and the importance of lifelong movement through our education and community engagement programs, and we train dancers from three years old to 80 years old through the professional and recreational classes at the Oregon Ballet Theatre School. Many of our students go on to successful professional careers at companies including the Joffrey, the Dutch National Ballet, and within our own organization.